UPPER TOWNSHIP — Challengers Zachary Palombo and Samuel Palombo defeated incumbents Mayor Jay Newman and Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes handily in the Republican primary election June 4.
Zachary Palombo garnered the most votes of the four with 1,417 and Samuel Palombo was close behind with 1,408 to secure the nomination for Township Committee in the November election. No Democrats had filed petitions to challenge as of the deadline, meaning the Palombos — the son and nephew of former longtime mayor Rick Palombo — appear to be a lock for the seats.
Newman was fourth with 970 votes and Hayes fourth with 885, according to unofficial results posted at capemaycountyvotes.com.
Zachary Palombo is superintendent of the Cape May City School District and Sam Palombo is a pharmaceutical sales representative. Their grandfather, Aldo Palombo, was mayor from 1994 to 2005 in North Wildwood, where he operated Palombo’s Pharmacy.
The Palombos earned the endorsement of the Upper Township members of the Republican County Committee during the local candidate endorsement process.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
